Alpe d’Huez, never disappoints.
What a stage that was. And Pogi takes the record.
When I rode it virtually I’d be finishing an hour later.
Anyone betting against Pogi going solo on the Galibier tomorrow? He has no need to but Pogi is Pogi
It’s all gotten a bit too ‘exceptional’…
1 Like
Dunno. There was one stage earlier where the UAE team rode every single member of Visma out the back. Vingegaard didn’t last long afterwards. They haven’t done that afterwards.
That said I do think Pogacar is some kind of freak. He was an exceptional talent as a youngster and before joining UAE. I would add that if you look at him he seems to be physically perfect. Bigger than the super light climbers but not too big as to compromise his climbing. He’s 2kg heavier this year too.
Cycling is changing. Sadly I think the age of the super light climbers is ending.
Another guy worth watching this year has been Pederson. He’s been in numerous breaks hoovering up the green jersey points but then dropping back and doing his job as a domestique. Crazy to watch.
I agree with this; it’s just the dominance is Merckx level and the competition these days is much stronger so I struggle to take this as the complete reason.
Carapaz won in polka dot jersey. Feel a bit for Sepp Kuss. While leading, he fell twice in the downhill section before the final climb. He was lucky in the 2nd fall though with the safety nets next to the barriers.
Is it hubris? Pog acted as the super domestique for del Toro yet again, but could not deliver the win to del Toro.
Better bikes, tech, nutrition, training and so on. That can cover the speed and time differences between now and then. Aerodynamics is a massive thing now at the speeds these guys go. Even the tyres make a massive difference.
Pogacar’s physiology is phenomenal. His vo2 max is massive. Higher than almost everyone’s in the peloton I think. His ability to recover is also insane. I don’t know what his functional threshold power is but I bet it’s up there. Remco’s is (according to him) 425 watts. Pogacar will be in that region if not higher. (I’ve heard 465W). Crazy
Oh Sepp. Heartbreaking.
Is there anyone with such a smooth efficient looking pedalling style?